Changes in health and health care utilization following eviction from public housing

• Published in: Public health Nursing 2022-03, Vol.39 (2), p.363-371
• Main Authors: Biederman, Donna J., Callejo‐Black, Peter, Douglas, Christian, O'Donohue, Heather A., Daeges, Monica, Sofela, Olamiji, Brown, Ashanti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: African Americans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Electronic health records; Electronic medical records; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; eviction; Evictions; Family Characteristics; Health care; health care systems; health care utilization; health disparities; Health services utilization; homeless persons; Homelessness; Households; Housing; Humans; Ill-Housed Persons; Information management; Management information systems; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Public Housing; Quantitative research; Statistical analysis; underserved populations; Utilization
• ISSN: 0737-1209; 1525-1446
• DOI: 10.1111/phn.12964

Objectives This study sought to (1) determine the number of persons evicted from the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) over a 5‐year period, (2) explore changes in the number of persons with various medical diagnoses and health care utilization patterns before and after eviction, and (3) examine how many persons evicted from DHA became literally homeless. Design This was a pre/post cross‐sectional quantitative study. Sample Heads of households evicted from DHA properties from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2017 were included in the study. Measurements We matched people evicted by the DHA in a university health system electronic health record system to determine changes in diagnoses and health care utilization before and after eviction. We also matched the cohort in the homeless management information system to determine how many persons evicted became literally homeless. Results Findings indicate statistically significant increases in persons with medical diagnoses in five of ten categories, total hospital admissions, and emergency department visits after eviction. Of the 152 people included in the study, 34 (22%) became literally homeless. Conclusions Health and health care utilization patterns were different before and after eviction. Implications for clinicians are explored.